Tuesday, 16 June 2026

 Kentmere Round Part 2

Sadgill, Shipman Knotts, Goat Scar, Kentmere Pike & Harter Fell 

Return to Sadgill via Gatesgarth Pass 9miles 2400ft

Setting off from the hamlet of Sadgill at the head of Longsleddale
Climbing out of Longsleddale to the Eastern ridge of the Kentmere Round walk
Arriving at Shipman Knotts (1926ft) the first of today's summits with a view down Longsleddale....
....and to Lake Windermere in the distance
Continuing along the ridge looking over the Kentmere valley to the Western fells of the Kentmere Round walk
To the East were the hazy summits and ridges of the Shap fells....
....and below me the upper reaches of Longsleddale
Arriving at Goat Scar summit 2054ft with Buckbarrow Crag across the valley
Looking up Gatesgarth pass, which would be my route down later in the day
The trig point on Kentmere Pike 2395ft
The fells of Ill Bell & Froswick across the Kentmere valley
Looking down to Nan Bield pass between Kentmere & Haweswater
Arriving at Harter fell summit from where there are some of my favourite views in Lakeland (2552ft) 
Including High Street & Blea Water
Zooming in on Blea Water
Haweswater....
.....& Mardale Head car park directly below
Leaving the summit on the path to Gatesgarth pass...
....between Mardale Head & Sadgill
Stopping for lunch by the river Sprint with Goat Scar above where I'd been earlier
Looking back up the pass
Finally arriving back at the parking area at Sadgill bridge.
This had been a fabulous day's walk, one of my favourites in all lakeland, but more importantly my 'gammy leg' had passed a fairly stiff test!!!


Tuesday, 9 June 2026

 Rydal to Ambleside via Buckstones Jump and Low Pike

8miles 1700ft

I got off the bus at St Mary's church Rydal....
.....and walked up the steep lane to Rydal Mount, the home of William, Dorothy and Mary Wordsworth for much of their adult lives
Where the lane comes to an end a footpath continues up Rydal beck valley emerging from the trees with a view back to Windermere....
A mile or so further on the path comes to Buckstones Jump water falls. A very popular place for a cooling dip when coming down from the fells in summer. 
Be warned of the very cold water, there have been too many fatalities across the country already this year!!!
A natural pool is formed by a rocky outcrop which the water flows over
There's even a shingle beach!
Looking down on Rydal water from the climb to 
Low Pike
Zooming in on Rydal caves above the lake
Low Pike summit 1667ft with High Pike behind. These are the first two summits on the Fairfield Horseshoe walk
Windermere and Ambleside as I started the descent....
....with the 'ever present' Langdale Pikes
Arriving in Ambleside I made a circuit through the town starting at the bowling green recreation area....
....and passing through the area of the Galava Roman fort, built under Hadrian's rule to guard the Roman road between Brougham & Ravenglass
Next came Borrans park which was a very timely place for lunch overlooking Windermere....
....and again
....and again
Lunch over I walked on to Waterhead where the Windermere ferries come and go....
....as well as other activities...
....and again....
....finishing with a final lingering look at the fells.
Today I was testing out my 'gammy knee' on the fells. I was happy with the result but not yet fully fit for a return to more strenous walks



Tuesday, 2 June 2026

A walk along Liverpool waterfront

from Festival Gardens & return

7miles 50ft!

Setting off along the waterfront promenade after parking at the Festival Gardens car park south of the city centre
Zooming in on the Anglican Cathedral
It was approaching the time of the hightide and ships were weighing anchor and heading out to sea....
....but not those moored in the marina....
....which included canal boats. The 127 mile Liverpool to Leeds canal starts from here
Two brave individuals were practising their wild water swimming
The pilot boat was heading out to bring in the ships waiting to enter the docks
Passing the M & S arena venue....
....followed by the ferris wheel which I'd not seen before
Arriving at the Albert dock....
The chain fence was covered in 'love locks'
The Liver building once the home of the Royal Liver Insurance and is the emblem of the city of Liverpool
Arriving at the Pier Head....
....from where the ferry across the Mersey sails
Zooming in on one of the two Liver birds, now is this one Bertie or Bella?
Continuing now to the cruise ship terminal....
.....where the relatively small 998 passenger liner....
'Viking Vela' from Bergen was moored....
No explanation is required for these 4 young lads! 


Leaving the city centre I returned to Festival Gardens...
....and a final look at the shipping still sailing down the river Mersey
A very different sort of walk this week as I was having some difficulty with a knee injury and was testing out my fitness!